World Powers suspend Russia’s membership in G8

The United and States and other world powers have decided to end Russia’s role in the group of leading industrialized nations (G8), the White House announced. The move to suspend Russia’s membership in the G8 is the latest direct response from major countries allied against Russia’s annexation of Crimea. “International law prohibits the acquisition of part or all of another state’s territory through coercion or force,” the statement said. “To do so violates the principles upon which the international system is built. We condemn the illegal referendum held in Crimea in violation of Ukraine’s constitution.” “We also strongly condemn Russia’s illegal attempt to annex Crimea in contravention of international law and specific international obligations,” it added. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov earlier said that being kicked out of G8 would be no big deal.